Key TakeawaysCOVID-19 case counts have been rising in much of the US, according to health authorities.The isolation period for COVID-19 has been shortened from when the virus emerged; now, people only need to stay inside until they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours (without using fever-reducing medications).However, experts said that despite the official guidance, going out in public that soon, especially without a mask, may put others at risk.

Key Takeaways

COVID-19 case counts have been rising in much of the US, according to health authorities.The isolation period for COVID-19 has been shortened from when the virus emerged; now, people only need to stay inside until they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours (without using fever-reducing medications).However, experts said that despite the official guidance, going out in public that soon, especially without a mask, may put others at risk.

The United States has seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases recently. As of early August, the rates of test-positivity and emergency room visits were both rising.As of August 13, case counts have been rising in at least 25 states and only declining or likely declining in three, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Experts said the rise is similar to what we’ve seen in previous summers since COVID-19 started spreading in the United States in 2020. “A lot of people tried to wish it away, but I think this summer wave is a little bit more expansive than the previous one,”Thomas Russo, MD, an infectious diseases expert at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, told Verywell.

There are a few reasons for this, Dr. Russo explained. First, the hot weather—some parts of the country have seen multiple heat waves already—has driven many people indoors.

The second reason cases may be rising is that people typically congregate in big groups in the summertime; Dr. Russo added: “In the summer, we tend to travel, we tend to have family reunions, weddings, vacations—all of these types of things that put one at risk” for contracting COVID."

“Lastly, very few people are taking precautions against infection. “We’re sort of no longer being careful,” Dr. Russo said. “Right now, people are doing what they want, and the masks are off.”

Given the stats, it can’t hurt to have a plan in case you start exhibiting some of the symptoms in the coming days or weeks, experts said. Depending on your symptoms and duration, it could mean a trip to the doctor. “People should see their healthcare provider, as needed if they are very sick or are unable to manage their own symptoms,”Waleed Javaid, MD, an infectious disease physician and the hospital epidemiologist and director of infection prevention and control at Mount Sinai Downtown, told Verywell.

Take a Test After Symptoms or Exposure

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or you’ve been exposed to the virus, it’s time to test, experts said. Remember: “A negative home test does not mean you don’t have COVID,” Dr. Russo said. “You’re more likely to be positive on day two or three of symptoms.”

The symptoms associated with recent COVID-19 infections are similar to those we’ve seen in the past. Experts aren’t aware of any newCOVID-19 symptomsthat have arisen in recent months, Dr. Javaid said.

The symptoms people are experiencing right now vary greatly. “[They] could be asymptomatic [or have symptoms like] fever, cough, headache, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, loss of smell and taste, fatigue, and body aches,” he said.

In general, people aren’t experiencing loss of taste and smell as much these days: “It’s still occurring, but it’s occurring less frequently,” Dr. Russo said.

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing remains the gold standard. These tests are available at doctors’ offices and other healthcare facilities. But if you can’t make it to a testing location, you should use an at-home test—just make sure it’s not out of date.

Stay Away From Others If You Test Positive

If you test positive for COVID-19, you should avoid being around others if you have symptoms. Officially, COVID-19 is now treated like other respiratory viruses, Dr. Russo explained.

You don’t need toisolateas long as your symptoms have improved, you’re feeling better, and you’ve been fever-free—without using fever-reducing medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen)—for 24 hours.

However, experts said it’s a good idea to be extra cautious around high-risk friends or family members and/or people who have important events coming up that they don’t want to miss (such as weddings or family vacations). “You still could be infectious” well past this point, Dr. Russo said. “This virus is veryinfectious, and [mingling with others] puts them at risk.”

If you need to be around others after a COVID-19 infection, it’s worth wearing a high-quality, well-fittingmask.

A new vaccine will likely be available in the coming months as we approach cold and flu season, Dr. Russo said. But if you didn’t get last year’s vaccination and you’re at high risk for severe disease from COVID-19, you may want to get last year’s formulation now, he added; you should talk to a healthcare provider to determine what’s best for you.

Practice Self-Care and Consider Medication

However, if your symptoms are severe or you are in a high-risk population, there are three antiviral medications available for COVID-19 treatment right now:

These treatments may be expensive for people without health insurance. The commercial list price for Veklury is $520 per vial,while Lagevrio costs over $900and Paxlovid nearly $1,400.

COVID-19 treatments work best if taken early in an infection: “The sooner you begin treatment, the better off you are,” Dr. Russo said.

Call a Healthcare Provider for Severe Symptoms

If you’re sick with COVID-19 and you start experiencing any of the below, you should contact a healthcare provider immediately, Dr. Russo added:

Some people are at high risk for developing severe disease, Dr. Russo said, including people 65 and older and those receiving certain cancer treatments. Pregnancy, diseases that affect the immune system, as well as a wide range of chronic health conditions—including chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, and more—can also increase a person’s risk.

But people outside these categories are still getting severely ill from COVID-19 in some cases, Dr. Russo said, which underscores the importance of taking a COVID infection seriously. “The risk isn’t zero for anyone,” he said. “Unfortunately, some young, healthy people still have bad outcomes,” including death, hospitalization, or long-term complications from long COVID, such as fatigue that interferes with day-to-day tasks, Dr. Russo said.

What This Means For YouCOVID-19 infections have been rising in some areas in the United States. As of August 13, case counts were rising or likely rising in 25 states, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health authorities have said you can quit isolating shortly after recovering from a COVID-19 infection. Still, experts said that may put others at risk, and it’s important to distance yourself from high-risk people after an infection.

What This Means For You

COVID-19 infections have been rising in some areas in the United States. As of August 13, case counts were rising or likely rising in 25 states, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health authorities have said you can quit isolating shortly after recovering from a COVID-19 infection. Still, experts said that may put others at risk, and it’s important to distance yourself from high-risk people after an infection.

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Current epidemic growth status (based on rt) for states.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 update for the United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Types of COVID-19 treatment.Gilead.Frequently asked questions on Veklury pricing.GoodRx.Lagevrio.GoodRx.Paxlovid.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People with certain medical conditions and COVID-19 risk factors.

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Current epidemic growth status (based on rt) for states.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 update for the United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Types of COVID-19 treatment.Gilead.Frequently asked questions on Veklury pricing.GoodRx.Lagevrio.GoodRx.Paxlovid.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People with certain medical conditions and COVID-19 risk factors.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Current epidemic growth status (based on rt) for states.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 update for the United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Types of COVID-19 treatment.Gilead.Frequently asked questions on Veklury pricing.GoodRx.Lagevrio.GoodRx.Paxlovid.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People with certain medical conditions and COVID-19 risk factors.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Current epidemic growth status (based on rt) for states.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 update for the United States.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Types of COVID-19 treatment.

Gilead.Frequently asked questions on Veklury pricing.

GoodRx.Lagevrio.

GoodRx.Paxlovid.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People with certain medical conditions and COVID-19 risk factors.

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